Red Death, ShipwreckerRed Death, Shipwrecker | Art by Jeremy Paillotin

Hey nerds! This week's deck tech was actually inspired by the recent banning of Seeker of SkybreakSeeker of Skybreak in Pauper. It's a Red Death, ShipwreckerRed Death, Shipwrecker Splinter TwinSplinter Twin combo deck.

Originally, I was going to go Temur with Seeker of SkybreakSeeker of Skybreak. However, I wanted to challenge myself, so I went with the original Splinter Twin colors, Izzet. This color pair provides fewer tutors for the combo pieces, but greater card selection thanks to Consult the Star ChartsConsult the Star Charts, Stock UpStock Up, and Dig Through TimeDig Through Time.

Red Death was selected specifically for its ability to combo with other cards in the deck. Also, it's a Crab, which pairs nicely with Horseshoe CrabHorseshoe Crab since Crab.

Once I had the idea in place, I bullied several friends to help goldfish and tune the initial list. Several tweaks and adjustments later, we have the list. This isn't the perfect list, as you can always add more Game Changers to power up the interaction.

The deck is technically Bracket 4, since it has several two-card combos featuring Splinter Twin. However, the cheapest Twin combo is six mana, and it requires another card to win. The earliest we've had the deck win in testing is turn three, with the perfect hand.

What Does Red Death, Shipwrecker Do?

Great question, me. Red Death is a weird little guy that goads an opponent's creature, draws them a card, and gives you red mana. The astute among you might have noticed Red's tap ability isn't actually a mana ability. It requires your opponent to have a creature early to activate, so it isn't the most consistent mana source, but it does the job.

And since it uses the stack, certain combos with it are a bit more fragile. But not to worry, I'll cover that in the combo section. I did make sure to include Forbidden OrchardForbidden Orchard to give creatures that Red can target.

Alternate Commanders

If you prefer Final Fantasy over Fallout, The Emperor of PalameciaThe Emperor of Palamecia is a great replacement option. It's an actual mana ability that provides color fixing for Splinter Twin and the other auras in the deck.

Bohn, Beguiling BalladeerBohn, Beguiling Balladeer can put your combo pieces into exile, protecting them from any untimely wheels or discard spells. And of course, the infamous Vivi OrnitierVivi Ornitier is just a powerhouse at the helm of any deck.

Deck Strategy

As I've alluded to multiple times already, this is a combo deck. But it isn't reliant on a single combo to win, like Niv-Mizzet, ParunNiv-Mizzet, Parun and CuriosityCuriosity. Instead, the deck gives you several variations of combos.

Some are easy-to-assemble two-card combos, while others are weird four-card combos your opponents won't see coming. I believe there are enough combos to ensure you'll rarely be totally out of the game.

Key Cards

Untappers

Having ways to untap creatures is essential with any Splinter TwinSplinter Twin deck, and the best way to do this is with other creatures. The best untappers are Breaching HippocampBreaching Hippocamp, Deceiver ExarchDeceiver Exarch, and PestermitePestermite.

These three are special in two ways. First, they all have flash, so you can wait until the last second to cast them, essentially giving them haste. Second, they untap their target when they enter. So they can go infinite with Splinter Twin to close out the game.

Aphetto AlchemistAphetto Alchemist is the most mana-efficient untapper and can untap itself. The other untappers are creatures like Kelpie GuideKelpie Guide. They can't target themselves and have some other ability.

The Enchantments

I included a small suite of auras that let a creature tap itself to deal one damage. These are meant to be backup win conditions when paired with combos like Dramatic ReversalDramatic Reversal and Isochron ScepterIsochron Scepter.

Most of them are two mana, like Fire WhipFire Whip; however, I also included Quicksilver DaggerQuicksilver Dagger since it provides card draw. Next are two staples in numerous combos, Freed from the RealFreed from the Real and Pemmin's AuraPemmin's Aura. Finally, Intruder AlarmIntruder Alarm turns any creature enchanted by Splinter Twin into an infinite combo.

Other Finishers

I wanted to include ways to win with Splinter TwinSplinter Twin if I couldn't swing with infinite tokens. Sometimes you have to enchant your Kelpie GuideKelpie Guide, but that means you either need to wait until right before your turn, or you make infinite tokens that are basically tapped.

Neither option is great, which is why Impact TremorsImpact Tremors and Goblin BombardmentGoblin Bombardment made the cut. I've also seen an uptick in Ghostly PrisonGhostly Prison effects locally, so these help get around that.

Scrawling CrawlerScrawling Crawler might seem odd at first, but it works great in the rare situations you go infinite with Red Death. The card draw isn't optional, so Scrawling Crawler can speed up the kill, giving your opponents fewer opportunities to fish for an answer.

It's also funny if you can get infinite Magus of the WheelMagus of the Wheels and wheel everyone to death.

How Does Red Death Win?

According to commanderspellbook.com, this deck has 25 known combos. While I can't go over every combo, since my editor might beat me up, I'd rather discuss two of the weirder combos that might not be as initiative.

Machine God's EffigyMachine God's Effigy can be used to clone Horseshoe CrabHorseshoe Crab, then equipping Hawkeye's BowHawkeye's Bow gives infinite untaps to ping down the table.

Marvin, Murderous MimicMarvin, Murderous Mimic, Pili-PalaPili-Pala, and Red Death, ShipwreckerRed Death, Shipwrecker also go infinite in a weird way. Marvin has both Red Death's and Pili-Pala's ability to tap for mana and untap for mana.

1. You can tap Marvin for red.
2. Then use an extra mana to untap Marvin and add mana of any color.
3. Then you can tap Marvin for red again, and use that red, plus the floating mana, to untap Marvin.
4. Now repeat for infinite untaps and have your opponents draw their entire library.

I've considered adding artifact mana dorks so this combo can't be interrupted, but Red Death can end the game if no one has an answer.

The Deck List

Conclusion

If you haven't tried combo before, I highly recommend at least giving it a try. Especially if you struggle against it. I've always found that playing a strategy helps me understand how to beat it. Combo piles like this are a blast to pilot, since it's mostly A plus B combos, instead of complicated storm lines.

If you wanted to power up the deck, I'd consider adding Thassa's OracleThassa's Oracle, IntuitionIntuition, and Underworld BreachUnderworld Breach. Along with as much fast mana and interaction as you can fit.

However, if you want to remove the Game Changers currently in the list, I'd suggest trying out Solve the EquationSolve the Equation, Dig Through TimeDig Through Time, and Long-Term PlansLong-Term Plans. They fill similar roles, but are weaker and much cheaper.

Also, if you want to see even more Magic content from me, you can find plenty of that on my YouTube channel, BathroomBrewsMTG. Alrighty nerds, I'll see you in the next one!